EDITOR'S NOTE: The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic March 11 - six months ago. To mark the milestone, we will be publishing a series of stories over the next few days about how COVID-19 has changed our world. But first, here is a timeline of how we got here.
The following is a timeline of COVID-19's spread in Simcoe-Muskoka region over the past six months since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The information included in this timeline is based on reports provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit.
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March 12
The first case in the Simcoe-Muskoka region is confirmed as a man from Barrie between 35 and 44 years old. The transmission was linked to travel in Germany and Spain. He was tested on March 9. The health unit confirmed 56 cases of COVID-19 and five deaths in March.
March 18
The first case in a Collingwood resident is confirmed. It was a man between 45 and 64 years old, and was a travel-related case. The health unit has reported at total of 17 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Collingwood residents. There was a single case in March, seven cases in April, seven cases in May, one case in July and one case in August.
March 18
A COVID-19 assessment tent was set up at the entrance to the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. The assessment centre was moved to the Erie Street medical building and was switched to a drive-thru model on March 31. The tent remained at the entrance of the hospital for COVID-19 screening of patients.
March 19
The first COVID-related death in the province is reported. The man died at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Regional Hospital on March 11, and his death was confirmed by the health unit on March 17. He was one of two brothers who died with the coronavirus, they were close contacts of each other and both died in Barrie within 10 days of each other.
April 4
The first COVID-19 outbreak at a long-term care facility is declared at Bradford Valley Care Community. There have been a total of 11 outbreaks at long-term care homes in Simcoe-Muskoka District, as well as four outbreaks at retirement homes. Seventy-five long-term care residents tested positive for COVID-19 during those outbreaks and 26 have died.
April 6
A Wasaga Beach man in his 70s died of COVID-19 while at Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. He died on April 4, but his death was reported by the health unit on April 6.
Apri 30
The health unit confirmed 221 cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths in the region during the month of April.
May 8
A woman in her 80s from Clearview Township died from COVID-19 at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.
May 19
Ontario enters Stage 1 of the provincial reopening plan, which allows drive-in religious gatherings, reopening of some outdoor recreational amenities. Golf courses reopen, as do marinas, public boat launches and private parks and campgrounds. Some in-store shopping also resumed with new restrictions.. Social gatherings limited to five people.
May 29
The health unit confirmed 190 cases of COVID-19 and 16 deaths in the region during the month of May
June 12
Ontario enters Stage 2 of the reopening plan, allowing public gatherings up to 10 people, reopening restaurant patios, shopping malls, hair salons, places of worship, and pools. This is also when social circles of up to 10 people were introduced.
June 29
The health unit confirmed 131 cases of COVID-19 in the region during the month of June
July 13
An order issued by Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health for the region, requires everyone to wear masks while indoors in public spaces and places of business.
July 24: Most of Ontario enters Stage 3. Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people, and outdoor gatherings can be up to 100 people with physical distancing. Indoor dining is allowed again, and gyms can reopen. Playgrounds are also reopened. There’s still no dancing, buffets, overnight children’s camps, or amusement parks. The provincial emergency order is also lifted with new legislation in place allowing emergency orders to remain for the year without the state of emergency.
July 31
The health unit confirmed 60 cases of COVID-19 in the region during the month of July
August 31
The health unit confirmed 50 cases of COVID-19 and one death in the region during the month of August. By the end of August there were a total of 708 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the region.
